Living Museum of the Sea opens in the Dominican Republic

Tourists will be able to discover the delights of La Romana's new Living Museum of the Sea during their Dominican Republic holidays after the formal opening on 23rd May welcomed research teams from Indiana University and Ministries of Culture and Tourism

La Romana’s Living Museum of the Sea is now officially open to tourists taking Dominican Republic holidays after the formal opening took place on Monday 23rd May.

Research teams from Indiana University and the Dominican Republic’s Ministries of Culture and Tourism attended the formal opening which showcased items from the 1699 Captain Kidd shipwreck that was found 70 feet off the coast of Catalina Island in the waters of La Romana.

The opening of the new underwater site marks the 310th anniversary of the hanging of the 17th century pirate, Captain William Kid, which took place in London. Kidd was hanged because of his “crimes of piracy” after he captured the Armenian ship off the west coast of India.

Divers can explore the underwater shipwreck site during scuba diving holidays in the Dominican Republic; with the help of plaques that are there to guide them around the Kidd site and the artefacts and rare corals of two other shipwreck sites.

Divers can explore the treasures which remain hidden along the ship’s decks, engine room and barrels of its cannons, which are also now thriving with marine life.

Other shipwrecks that* can be explored at the museum during Dominican Republic holidays include the Saint George shipwreck, an 80 metre cargo ship located 170 feet deep on the reef next to Dominicus Beach; and the re-enactment of the Our Lady of Guadalupe shipwreck, on the cannon site of Guaraguao reefs.

The purpose of the Living Museum of the Sea is to preserve and protect the area’s biodiversity and its biological resources, as well as display an array of historic artefacts which have been rescued and returned to the ocean bed, where they are showcased in their original form; creating an underwater archaeological reserve.

The site has been created with the help of the University of Indiana with the research teams that led the aquatic studies and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); who have increased the funding award to $300,000. The Living Museum of the Sea will be under the supervision and support of the Dominican Republic's National Underwater Cultural Heritage Office.

La Romana is a city situated in the south east of the Caribbean island nation, opposite Catalina Island. The province is becoming a popular destination for Dominican Republic holidays with tourist resorts that include: Bayahibe, Dominicus and Casa de Campo; all providing plenty of Dominican Republic hotels and resorts, as well as golf courses.